[RR makes a mess of parallel parking Tessa's convertible in an empty parking space in front of the gallery. He writes note & sticks it on parking meter: OUT OF ORDER.] ²

[Sign on wall above mirror reads: TESSA NOËL -- Recent Works]

RR - [looking at himself in mirror] Whoa. Damn, check me out. I am one sharp dude.

Tessa - Even if you do say so yourself.

RR - Hey, Tess, I'm just calling 'em as I seem 'em.

Tessa - Well, see if you can pry yourself away from the mirror long enough to sign the guest book.

RR - [takes pen from Tessa] Well, it would be my pleasure.

[Tessa turns to greet several people while RR signs guest book.]

Tessa - Hi.

Male guest - Hi, it's great to meet you.

RR - [takes glass from server] Thank you. Just one. [holds glass out to Tessa] Tess?

Tessa - [to people she was greeting] See you later. [Tessa & RR walk through gallery.]

RR - Hm. I think I could get used to this.

Tessa - A little culture is good for the soul.

RR - Oh yeah. [greets someone] Hello. [walks by buffet table] Oh, wow, the food looks great. [to another person] Hi there. [catches sight of hot-looking young woman] Ab-so-lutely.

Tessa - Go on, talk to her.

RR - Tess. You can dress me up, but I know what's out of my league. I wouldn't even know what to say.

Tessa - Uh, how about 'hello'?

RR - Nah, this is the kind of woman you've got to impress right off the bat.

Tessa - Just be yourself.

RR - I'll be myself later. Right now I want to be someone who knows a lot about art. What do I tell her about that painting?

Tessa - Tell her that you either like it or you don't.

RR - Tessa, c'mon, please. You know what I mean.

Tessa - Tell her that you find the shapes provocative and the colors organic but strangely disturbing.

RR - Organic... strangely disturbing...

Tessa - Provocative.

RR - Provocative.

Tessa - [smiling] Provocative.

RR - Provocative. All right, thanks. I'll see you later.

Martin - [approaches as RR leaves] Tessa!

Tessa - Hi!

Martin - How wonderful you look tonight.

Tessa - Thank you.

Martin - And Duncan, where is that man of yours?

Tessa - He's still in New York. He'll be back tomorrow.

Martin - Oh, shame. Do give him my regards, will you?

Tessa - I will.

Martin - I see your fans are beginning to gather. Shall we mingle a little? [moves off into the crowd]

RR - [reappears] Tess. She's loving it. All the organic, uh... stuff. But, uh, now she's talking about texture and comparing it to the Neoclassical school. Help me. I'm lost.

Tessa - Why don't you just tell her the truth?

RR - Tessa, come on, she's beautiful. She's smart. She's... sexy. She's, uh... [Tessa chuckles.] I dream about women like her.

Tessa - Okay. Tell her it's definitely not Neoclassical, but it does have some abstract notions.

RR - All right. Thank you. [leaves again]

[Tessa wanders through the crowd, past a man & women measuring a statue with a tape measure.]

Anne - [as couple walks away] Morons.

Tessa - Pardon me?

Anne - The only thing they care about is if it fits their damn patio. They don't sense the depth... the intensity... the experience.

Tessa - I'm not always so sure it's there.

Anne - It's there. You'd have to be blind not to see it. This is a work of life, of openness. It's wonderful.

Tessa - Thank you.

Anne - I'm tempted to buy it just so some idiot won't use it to decorate his bathroom.

Tessa - Are you an artist?

Anne - I was once. Things change.

Tessa - Will you join me for a drink?

Anne - Oh, thank you, but I can't. I really have to go. You have talent; use it while you can. It won't last forever.

Tessa - [as Anne walks away] What's your name?

Anne - [turns back] Anne.

RR - [returns as Anne leaves] Well, I forgot what I was supposed to say, so I told her that basically I didn't know Picasso from a piano, and she laughed. She said she doesn't care. She thinks I'm cute.

Tessa - [nods] Go on. Have a good time.

RR - You're sure?

Tessa - Mm-hm.

RR - I'll see you later.

[Montage of Richie & the blond woman walking around, laughing & talking... & kissing.]> ³

[Tessa enters & picks up her coat. She glances out the window & sees two people on nearby bridge -- Anne & mystery man. As Tessa watches, they argue, Anne slaps the man, then the man grabs her & they struggle. ]

Martin - [sticking his head into the office] Tessa, have you got a moment?

Tessa - [turns to answer] I'm coming. [looks back out window & sees mystery man, alone, looking over bridge railing ] Oh, my God.
 

Bennett - [to Martin] If I have any more questions, I'll give you a call. Thank you. [walks up to Tessa] Miss Noel, uh, I know you're not the type to make things up, but I was up on that bridge and, well, there's no blood, no sign of a struggle. You're sure you saw this?

Tessa - How many times do I have to tell you?

Bennett - Well, my men have been out here since daybreak. They've spoken to a lot of people, including the gallery manager here, and, uh, no one else saw anything.

Tessa - *I* did.

Bennett - Uh, you said that you saw this woman while you were at a celebration, a cocktail party?

Tessa - Yes.

Bennett - Were you celebrating a little?

Tessa - You mean, was I drinking, Lieutenant? And the answer is no. He had her against the railing, they fought, and he threw her off! I'm not making this up.

Bennett - Of course not.

Tessa - Don't patronize me.

Bennett - It boils down to one question. Did you or did you not actually SEE him push her over?

[Flashback to previous night:
Martin - [sticking his head into the office] Tessa, have you got a moment?
Tessa - [turns to answer] I'm coming.]

Tessa - No. But I only looked away for a second. Where do you think she went?

Bennett - Maybe they made up. Maybe she got back in his car.

Tessa - And maybe she's lying at the bottom of the river.

Bennett - Miss Noel, all I've got here are a lot of "no"s. I've got no real witness, I've got no body, and I've got no crime! Now we have your name and number. If anything comes up, we'll call you. Do you need a ride back home? I can have one of my men take you.

Tessa - I'm quite capable, Lieutenant, thank you.

Bennett - You're welcome.

Tessa - I reported a possible murder, not a flying saucer. They treated me like a child. There was no place she could have gone but over that railing.

DM - Bennett's a good cop. If there's something to be found, he'll find it. If she doesn't come home tonight, someone will report her missing. [Tessa remains silent.] All right, what do you know about her?

Tessa - Only that her name was Anne.

DM - [acknowledging that this isn't much] Well.

RR - Well, I signed the guest book. I don't know, maybe she did too. [DM & Tessa stare at him.] What?

<Tessa - Of course. [leaves]

DM - [to RR] It was a good idea. Go on, stick with her.

RR - [his mouth full of sandwich] Now?

DM - Now.

RR - Oh, man. [puts sandwich down & follows Tessa]>

RR - [reading names out of guest book] Rockwell, Morgenthaler, Von Holst... hm. Why do I get the feeling I never went to college with these guys?

Tessa - Probably because you never went to college. The name we're looking for is "Anne."

RR - [under his breath] Anne, Anne, Anne, Anne... [turns pages] Bingo. It's the last one. Hm, she must have come in at the end.

Tessa - Anne Wheeler.

RR - Perfect. Let's give it to the cops.

Tessa - Not just yet, Richie. I'd like to follow up on this myself.

RR - What about Mac?

Tessa - That's not necessary.

RR - All right, I'm game. Let's go. [heads for exit, Tessa following] I'm just gonna wait in the car.

Tessa - You don't have to.

RR - I know. I want to.

Greta - [opens door] Can I help you?

Tessa - Um, does Anne Wheeler live here?

Greta - Yes.

Tessa - Did she return home last night?

Greta - No, she didn't.

Tessa - I... I wonder if I might speak with you.

Greta - Are you a friend of Miss Wheeler's?

Tessa - [after a beat] Yes... Yes, I am. [enters as Greta steps aside] Thank you.

Greta - Just come this way, please. [leads Tessa into living area] We move many times, often every year. She likes being new places. She's adventurous, always going somewhere. We came here only three months ago.

Tessa - So you're not worried that she didn't return home last night?

Greta - Oh, she's frequently gone several days at a time.

Tessa - [notices painting over mantle] This is her work?

Greta - Yes, almost all of them are. She used to paint a great deal.

Tessa - Is she still painting?

Greta - Not like she used to. I'm sure she has her reasons.

Tessa - When she returns, would you have her call me? [hands Greta a business card]

Greta - Certainly. [reads card] Miss Noel.

Tessa - Thank you. [turns, walks back to front door, nods good-bye to Greta, leaves] ⁴

Bennett - [sitting at his desk] Thank you for coming, Miss Noel.

Tessa - [sitting across from him] Now what, Lieutenant?

Bennett - Well, now the investigation of the disappearance of Miss Anne Wheeler will be dealt with in its proper order.

Tessa - Uh-huh. You mean it'll stay buried.

Bennett - Do you have any idea how many open murder cases I'm dealing with, Miss Noel? Cases with a motive, or evidence, or a BODY.

Tessa - Do you think I'd go to all this trouble if I didn't think something was very wrong? The woman is missing, maybe dead. I'm not hysterical, I don't see things, and I'm not looking for attention. I just want something to be done.

Bennett - Of course. Just don't expect miracles.

Tessa - I just expect you to do your job. [leaves]

[DM, in his office, senses 'buzz'. He picks up his katana & cautiously enters workshop.]

DM - I am Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod. [The Immortal appears -- it is the man from the bridge. DM blocks his path.] Who are you? [The Immortal swings at DM with a length of pipe. They exchange blows.] Who are you?! [DM slices pipe in half with his katana. Man runs out back door.]
 

[Randi parks her car & enters store.]

DM - And the English lord, thinking that he was safe behind this shield, attacked the Scottish chieftain. But the Scot's sword was made out of the finest tempered steel, which pierced the shield, killed the English lord, and ended the battle. That, of course, is the legend behind this particular shield. [as Randi waits for him to finish] Anyway, please, take your time, take a look around the store. [walks over to Randi]

Randi - Can I talk to you?

DM - [whispers] In my office. [to customer] I'll be back in a moment.

Customer - That's fine.

[DM & Randi enter office. DM closes door behind them.]

Randi - Okay, call me crazy, but you keep turning up at murder investigations. Coincidence? I think "no".

DM - I'm not following.

Randi - Tessa Noel is named on a police report for a missing person... Anne Wheeler.

DM - And you think it's murder.

Randi - Tessa does.

DM - Hm, well...

Randi - Don't play games with me, MacLeod. What gives?

DM - Read the report.

Randi - [sarcastic] Oh, and I was hoping for your colorful narrative touch.

Tessa - [enters office as DM opens the door] Duncan, the man in the store likes the shield. He--

Randi - [interrupts] I wanted to talk to you.

Tessa - [coldly] Really.

Randi - You're right, it's just a pretext... [to DM] We were deciding -- you're place? Mine?

Tessa - Don't let me interrupt. [goes back into store]

Randi - Why doesn't she like me?

DM - It couldn't be your personality, could it? Or tact?

Randi - [follows Tessa out] You know I was kidding in there.

Tessa - So I guessed. So, what do you want from me?

Randi - Was Anne Wheeler a friend of yours?

Tessa - I barely knew her.

Randi - Then why are you so involved in trying--

Tessa - If you saw someone murdered, you would feel involved, trust me!

Randi - You're certain she was killed?

Tessa - One moment she was there, vibrant, alive, breathing the same air... and the next...

Randi - You describe her like you knew her well.

Tessa - Maybe I do... somehow.

Randi - I don't see--

Tessa - No, of course you don't. You're here for the story. Well, this isn't a story, it's a woman's life... And it's been taken from her. And you can't do anything about it, can you?

Randi - Maybe I could.

Tessa - Only if it buys you air time.

Randi - [after a beat] Well, it's been nice sparring with you. You know, you may be right about me... but I still think I could help. So call me if you learn anything else.

[Bennett knocks on glass door bearing the words: CHIEF DETECTIVE ANDREW BALLIN.]

Ballin - Yeah.

Bennett - [enters office] Chief, remember that woman I told you about? The one who thinks she saw a murder at the bridge?

Ballin - Vaguely. What of her?

Bennett - Well, I know we don't have much, but from what I know of her, she's not the kind of woman who makes things up, and she's very persistent.

Ballin - Well, there's always a first time. I wouldn't make it a big priority. It's probably nothing. Nothing at all.

[Bennett leaves. Ballin turns to face the camera, revealing that he is the man who killed Anne & attacked DM at the antique store.]

Tessa - It's been two days. She hasn't returned home and still the police have done nothing.

DM - Well, they probably have nothing to go on. You know, people disappear every day.

Tessa - You sound like that detective! She didn't just disappear. She was murdered.

DM - I believe you, but believing and proving are two different things.

Tessa - So what do I do?

DM - Well, let Bennett do his job. I mean, there's an auction in New York. I thought you and Richie could go...

RR - New York?

DM - Yeah.

RR - Yeah! Now we're talking.

Tessa - You want me to leave?

DM - Well, just for a couple of days, until this is over.

Tessa - Wait a minute. Why? The only time you want me gone is when there's an Immortal around.

RR - Whoa, hold on one second here. What's going on, guys?

DM - [after a beat] All right, I'm sorry. I figured you had enough on your mind without this to worry about. I just want you out of here until this is over.

Tessa - Absolutely not.

DM - Tessa...

Tessa - I'm an adult, Duncan. I know the risks I choose to take.

DM - Tessa, this is the Gathering.

Tessa - We've been through this before. I stay with you because I want to. I won't run. I'm not the little woman, and I'll never be barefoot and pregnant. We all have things to face. This is mine. I have to see it through.

DM - All right. We'll do it together, then. Where do you want to start?

Tessa - With Anne's maid. I think she was holding something back.

DM - Okay, we'll start there.

Bennett - Will do. [leaves office] ⁵

DM - Amazing work. ⁶ [looking at painting] I remember her now. It was years ago... and this is just as fresh as when I saw it in Paris.

Greta - [carries tea tray into room] Paris? But Miss Wheeler hasn't shown in Paris for twenty years. You're much too young to have seen it there.

DM - Of course. I must be thinking of someone else.

Greta - I'm beginning to be frightened. She's never been gone this long without calling me. Maybe she's painting somewhere. You know how artists are.

Tessa - Maybe. You... you said she hadn't painted much recently.

Greta - That's right.

DM - Why?

Greta - I really don't know.

Tessa - I think you do know.

Greta - I don't know you. Anne Wheeler never mentioned either of you to me. You have no right asking these questions. I want you to leave.

DM - All we want to do is help. There's something wrong and I think you know that. Whatever the truth is, it'll be better than not knowing.

Tessa - Why did she stop painting?

Greta - It was a man. He left her just after I came to work for her. They were together for years, and when he left, she was devastated. She never painted again. It was like the life was drained out of her. She spent years searching for him, which was why she was gone for days on end.

DM - Well, maybe he could tell us something. Does he have a name?

Greta - Andrew Holt, but I think he changed it to avoid her.

DM - What about snapshots? An address?

Greta - No, I never saw any.

Tessa - What about paintings? If she loved him, she might have done a portrait.

Greta - I'll get it. [leaves room]

Tessa - Now we'll know who he is.

DM - [as Greta carries painting in] I don't think so. [Painting is of a man, but the face has been cut out & torn off.] She found him, didn't she?

Greta - That last night, I -- I heard her on the phone. It must've been him. She sounded so upset. I came to her... She made me promise never to talk about him again.

Tessa - We understand.

Greta - She's dead, isn't she?

Tessa - I'm not sure.

Greta - You think he might've killed her?

DM - Perhaps.

Greta - But why? Why?

Tessa - Those paintings. I can close my eyes and see her. I can feel what she felt. It's like peering into someone's heart. She was so human... so real.

DM - I suppose she was.

Tessa - [gets into T-bird] I know why she kept looking for him. She felt everything... violently. Love. Loss.

DM - You're not her.

Tessa - I could be.

DM - [gets into T-bird] Tessa, you're stronger than she was. If something happened to me, you... you'd be fine.

Tessa - You only think so because it suits you.

[Ballin removes gun pieces from a metal case & attaches them together -- a rifle with scope & silencer.]

Tessa - [as DM drives T-bird down the street] We've got to call Bennett and tell him about the phone call.

DM - What can we tell him? That she spoke to someone? The man has no face, and a name he no longer uses.

[Ballin finishes assembling the rifle. He cleans small area of dirty window & looks out onto street below.]

Tessa - So what do we do now?

DM - I don't know. [parks T-bird]

[Ballin opens window slightly & crouches down, aiming the rifle.]

Tessa - I can't give this up.

[DM senses 'buzz', catches sight of Ballin's rifle pointing at them from partially open window.]

DM - Get down!

[He shoves Tessa flat on the seat as Ballin fires, hitting the passenger-side window. DM helps Tessa out on the driver's side as Ballin fires again, hitting him in the shoulder.]

Tessa - You're hurt!

DM - When I tell you, get inside, okay? [beat] GO!

[They run for the door, Ballin shooting at them.]

[continues]

[As they cross the threshold, one of Ballin's bullets hits DM in the chest, knocking him to the floor.]

RR - [watching in shock] What the hell...? What's going on here? [rushes to DM] An Immortal?

DM - [groaning] Yeah.

Tessa - [helps DM sit up] Are you all right?

DM - [coughs] I'll live. [trying to crack a joke] You know, I just love all this attention.

Tessa - Why would an Immortal shoot you?

RR - She's right. Any Immortal would know a gun is useless to kill you. Why would he try?

DM - Because he's not coming for me, Richie. [looks at Tessa] He's coming for you, Tess.
 

Bennett - [looks at seats of T-bird, mutters under his breath] Nosebleed my ass. [turns to confront DM] What is it with you people? I know cop's been on the force twenty years, never been shot at or pulled their guns, and never involved in a murder. But with you this kind of thing seems like it's a regular occurrence. [DM shrugs.] So you're telling me, all this blood came from you hitting the steering wheel.

DM - Well, it could have been a lot worse, Sergeant. (He must not have gotten the memo about Bennett's promotion.) But those seatbelts -- they're a lifesaver. I mean, who knows what could have happened without them.

Bennett - [turns to Tessa] Look, I came here to put you under protective custody. Looks to me like you need it.

DM - Why's that?

Bennett - Anne Wheeler's body washed up on the shore a few hours ago.

Tessa - So now you believe me.

DM - You're sure it's Anne Wheeler?

Bennett - We do some things right, MacLeod. Forensics ID'd the body just a while ago. Miss Noel, I'd like for you to come with us.

Tessa - Why?

Bennett - Because the chief thinks it's possible that the murder you witnessed was committed by someone connected to organized crime. He thinks you'd be safer under our protection. And now I agree with him.

Tessa - Is it really necessary?

Bennett - There is a pro shooter around. He knows where you live. He's watching you. Next time, he may not miss.

DM - Well, maybe it's not a bad idea. You know, just for a while.

Bennett - We can come back later and pick up your clothes.

DM - Where are you taking her?

Bennett - To a safe house. That's all I can tell you.

DM - [to Tessa] It's going to be okay.

Tessa - I know.

DM - [to RR, as Tessa & Bennett walk off] Does that bike of yours still "haul ass"?

RR - Like Madonna's underwear. Why? [follows DM's gaze to departing police vehicles] Gotcha.

[Randi drives up, goes over to car Tessa is in, knocks on window. Tessa rolls window down.]

Randi - I just heard about the shooting over my police scanner. Are you okay?

Tessa - Yes. They found Anne Wheeler.

Randi - I know. You were right.

Tessa - I wish I weren't. Funny, I just wanted to talk to her again.

Randi - I know you won't believe this, but I'm sorry.

Tessa - I believe you.

Randi - You were right about something else.

Tessa - What's that?

Randi - She's dead and I really can't help. I wish I could.

[Bennett's unmarked car drives toward the safe house. RR follows on his motorcycle.]

Bennett - [looking in rear-view mirror] I think we got a player. Guy on a motorcycle.

Taylor - Try a hard left and hit the gas. [as Tessa turns around to look] Don't. It could be our shooter. [He pulls her down onto the seat.]

Bennett - I'll call for some backup.

[Bennett turns off main road & stops. RR follows & is stopped by Bennett & several additional police cars.]

Bennett - Freeze!

RR - Whoa, whoa, whoa. [pulls his helmet off] Don't shoot. Don't shoot. Don't shoot. I'm one of the good guys.

Bennett - Talk to me, wise guy.

RR - I got a license. I was, uh, taking a joy ride.

Bennett - Look, pal, if we wanted people to know where these safe houses were, we'd put 'em in the phone book. Now somebody escort Mr. Indiana Jones here back to his place.

RR - [as officer pulls him from his bike] Well, does that mean that this is gonna screw up my safety driver discount?

Bennett - Bet your ass.

RR - Oh, boy.

[Bennett gets back in car & starts off again. A short while later, the T-bird wheels slowly up to the turn, takes it, & follows the police cars.]

Bennett - [answering cell phone] Bennett.

Ballin - [calling from his car] This is Ballin here. How's it looking?

Bennett - [into phone] Quiet so far, sir. What's up?

Ballin - [into phone] Just checking in. She identify anyone from the mug books yet?

Bennett - [into phone] Not yet. Uh, is all this necessary? I mean, the lady's not very happy.

Ballin - [into phone] Well, she'd be a lot more unhappy if she took a twenty-two behind the ear. Stay buttoned up. I'll check back later. No one in or out.

Bennett - [into phone] Whatever you say, sir.

[Ballin gets out of his car, which is parked by the safe house. He walks to side of house & looks at gas meter tag: NATIONAL GAS CO INSPECT YEARLY. DM has been watching safe house from T-bird, also parked nearby. He sees Ballin's car & gets out to investigate. In the car, he sees "police dept." envelope on the seat & police light on the dash. Meanwhile, Ballin attaches small metal box & some wires to the gas pipes. He senses 'buzz' as DM approaches the house, & quickly finishes & returns to his car. DM runs after him fast enough to get a good look at him, but not fast enough to stop him from driving away. DM goes back to the house, finds the box, & sees a timer counting down from 2:28. Realizing he can't diffuse the bomb, he pulls out his pocket watch, marks the time, & runs to the front door.]

DM - [bangs on front door] Open up! [bangs again] Open up!

Bennett - [throws door open, gun at the ready] Freeze! [realizes who it is] Macleod, are you nuts?

DM - Now listen to me VERY carefully. There's a bomb on the outside of the house. You have exactly under two minutes to get everybody outside.

Bennett - What?

DM - I haven't got time to discuss this. Ninety seconds.

Bennett - Is this another one of your tricks like that guy on the motorcycle?

DM - No more time.

Taylor - [off screen] Bennett, are you all right?

Bennett - Yeah... [As he turns his attention away, DM punches him & pushes past him into the house.]

DM - [takes Bennett's gun & points it at Taylor, who is coming down the hall] Freeze! Where is she? Where is she?!

Tessa - [runs in] Duncan!

DM - [grabs her & pushes her toward the door] Out! Now! [Tessa runs outside.] Now I'm going to say it again. There's a bomb about to go off -- take that [thrusts Bennett's gun at Taylor] -- Get Bennett and get outside. You've got... [checks his pocket watch] thirty seconds!

Tessa - [as they run from the house] Who is doing this?

DM - It's an Immortal. It's a cop. He followed you here.

Tessa - You followed me, too.

DM - Yeah, but I'm obsessed with you. [pulls her down behind the T-bird, then goes back to help Bennett & Taylor] Come on.

Bennett - [holding his chest where DM punched him] I don't know what the hell's going on, MacLeod, but you're in deep--

[The house explodes in a huge fireball.]

DM - [looks at his pocket watch] Yup.

Bennett - Thanks. I owe you. How'd you know there was a bomb in there?

DM - I saw someone leaving the side of the house.

Bennett - Can you identify him?

DM - Didn't get that good a look.

Bennett - You expect me to believe that, MacLeod? This wouldn't be the first time you've lied to me, you know.

DM - You can believe whatever you want. Who else knew you were bringing Tessa here? Who else knew, huh?

Bennett - Well, it was just me, uh, the chief, and a couple of my men. Wait a minute. Wait, you don't think my people had anything to do with this...

DM - We have to go.

Bennett - Yeah, right, downtown to talk this out.

DM - Tomorrow.

Bennett - No way, MacLeod.

DM - You said you owed me. Right?

Bennett - Tomorrow. Early... or I'm coming to get you.

Tessa - [as Bennett walks off] You're going after him?

DM - I have to.

Tessa - Maybe he'll run off now that he knows we know it's him.

DM - What about Anne?

Tessa - I care about YOU.

DM - I have to stop him. This will happen again, and again, and again.

Tessa - I know. I know. [They kiss.]
 

Bennett - I guess you were right about it being a mob hit. If it wasn't for MacLeod, we'd all be dead.

Ballin - It's lucky he arrived. And he didn't mention who planted the bomb?

Bennett - Well, he said he didn't see anybody, but I think he knows. He's just not telling us. Tomorrow I will get it out of him.

Ballin - Right.

Bennett - [as phone rings] I'll be in my office.

Ballin - [answers phone] I've been waiting for you to call. [beat] I'll be there.

DM - Must be useful being a cop, Ballin. If you kill one of us, you can be the first on the scene. No questions, no suspicion -- just good, solid police work.

Ballin - I wasn't coming for you yet, MacLeod.

DM - Of course it works just as well for mortals. Why Anne? She was your woman.

Ballin - She wouldn't let go. Everywhere I went, so did she. At the end, she threatened to expose what I was to the world if I didn't go back to her.

DM - How many others have you killed?

Ballin - Does it matter? They never live forever. And neither will you.

[Swordfight commences, ending, of course, with Ballin minus his head. Lightning travels across the surface of the giant geodesic dome as DM takes his Quickening.]
 

Bennett - This damn case gets weirder by the moment.

Tessa - Why?

Bennett - Well, Chief Ballin turns up murdered last night. We find a rifle in the trunk of his car which ballistics match to a slug dug out of YOUR upholstery. We then matched the fibers dug from under Anne Wheeler's fingernails and they match Ballin's overcoat. You think you know somebody.

DM - Yeah, Anne Wheeler thought she knew him, too.

Bennett - Yeah. [to Tessa] Look, uh, I'm sorry I didn't believe you the first time.

Tessa - It's okay.

Bennett - I guess I'll be seeing you around. [DM nods. Bennett leaves.]

Tessa - Duncan...

DM - What?

Tessa - When the time comes, if you ever have to leave me... [DM groans.] I won't be like Anne. I'll leave you first.

DM - You do that.

Tessa - Yeah?

DM - Yeah. [Tessa laughs.] And I'll follow you. [kisses her] Wherever you go. As long as you live.

Tessa - Then maybe... just maybe... I won't leave. CUT <You want some coffee?

DM - Yeah, I'd love some coffee.

Tessa - I'll make some. [DM pulls her back.] Ah. I thought you wanted coffee.

DM - Oh, I do. I want some coffee. [kisses her again]

Tessa - I have to make it.

DM - Well, okay, okay, you make it. [pulls her back again]

Tessa - [laughs] {Way to go.}

DM - Huh?

Tessa - What do you have in mind?

DM - Nothing, sweetheart.

Tessa - Yeah, you do. [They kiss again.] You want coffee?

DM - I do, I love coffee. Let's go make some coffee. [pushes jacket off her shoulders as they disappear around the corner]

Tessa - [laughing] Duncan!>